Some snapshots of my favorite campus on the planet.
[From the College of Journalism]
A Gator for life.
[University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.]
The University of Florida
Friday Glee: February 5, 2016
Hi friends,
Today, we explore snowy tragedies, what’s in an age (is it really nothing but a number?), questioning what it means to be really “grown up”, the political scene, breakups, languages, and maybe more– you know, if we get to it.
Most of you aren’t from the U.S.; I love looking at my reader map. I thought I would fill you in on the NYC scene. It’s snowing here. Non-stop. The bad weather contributed to a crane collapsing in TriBeCa. One person died. Prayers are going out to that family. Life is so precious. I don’t normally talk about the sad news. Tragic, really. But I wanted to acknowledge this and urge you to pray for the families involved.
Politics have our heads spinning in circles. Not even the candidates know what they are saying anymore. Did anyone see Colbert hosting the Trump v. Trump debate?
The red-heart invasion continues. Lots of people are breaking up now, as they reflect on the meaning of life, love, their finances and the future. I did not mean that ironically… Sometimes, breaking up is the right thing to do. I loved a recent piece by Leandra Medine Cohen on this topic on her blog Man Repeller, hence the discussion. We don’t always like it, especially when it happens to us or someone close to us, but sometimes, we need to step out of all the messy emotions, and objectively (whatever that means) weigh the situation. It’s also interesting to think about how we evolve through relationships.
Once February 14 passes, it will be a full-blown Easter celebration at the pharmacy. I was at a place where I saw the cutest ceramic Peter Rabbit illustration plates. I seriously considered the adorable bunny plates and tea set, for at least five seconds. I was on the phone with someone close to me. “Aren’t you a little too old for that?” I heard in the phone receiver. Sigh. I get it. But this, led me to think about age.
What or who determines what we are too old for? No, seriously. I know 40 years olds that tell me they love Justin Bieber and One Direction’s music in hushed tones. Why? Why not just say you like it? Is there some kind of age cap? I look around a networking event, and to be honest, I see no adults. People my age and older still feel the need to get tipsy to have so much as one ounce of courage to talk or network with people, and they leave bars completely drunk… Aren’t they a little too old for that? Or people who look at you with a condescending air of “you are so young” when really, you’ve made more mature decisions and lived more responsibly than the older person’s entire collective experience. What is this age thing?
Anyway. I didn’t get the plates. They were completely adorable and appealing for Anglophiles and fans of British lit. Bunnies make the world a better place. I don’t care how old we are.
I met a handsome older man on the train this week who has been playing hockey for 52 years. He is on his second set of front teeth implants. “Some things have no age limit,” he told me. I completely agree. He then invited me to a hockey rec course he teaches, but I would like to keep all of my teeth, for now.
Jhumpa Lahiri, one of the only fiction writers worth reading in my opinion, is releasing her new book on Feb. 9th. It’s nonfiction and in Italian. She is Bengali. I loved her piece in The Guardian where she discusses her journey through learning a foreign language and her passion for it. I especially identified with the bit about being a different writer and version of yourself in another language. It sounds crazy, perhaps, but it’s true. Languages have the weirdest way of pulling on different aspects of yourself and magnifying them. Her piece reminded me of my goals and dreams, the ones that have been floating around since high school.
Lahiri writing this new book in a foreign language to her was refreshing, bold, risky and daring. Oftentimes, the best life waiting for us out there requires just that.
On another note, I am super excited to say that this weekend, I will be hearing Ravi Zacharias speak. Many of you, who read often and who have been a part of this blog for the six years it has been in existence, know he is often quoted. He is one of my favorite apologists and philosophers, and I am so excited.
Yes, it’s also Super Bowl Sunday. As a kid, I remember someone from church would have a Super Bowl party, and it would be a day of eating lots of chips, sweets, veggie hot dogs and commercial watching. Sweet memories. Not sure I will be watching this year. Apathy has gotten the best of me.
But how do you plan life? Maybe the weekend will be different than what I have envisioned. And that’s all right. Last weekend was hellish, but if this weekend brings surprises, I think it can only go up from last week.
I hope you all have a warm weekend. We’ll be hiking through snow mountains.
The groundhog said spring was coming early, right? What’s his name? Phil?
Whatever, he’s cute. After resurrecting that line from jr. high, it’s time for me to go.
Spring, come find us.
XOXO,
Gabriela Yareliz
PS. Awesome articles and videos were linked for your enjoyment and further reflection.
“It’s a ring”
It’s no secret that I love people’s stories, and I love power couples.
So, when I saw that Clooney shared how he proposed, he had my full attention.
He said he never thought he’d marry again, but then, six months after meeting Amal, he knew he didn’t want to live without her. Maybe, people out there are right. Sometimes, you just know.
“I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you… [25 minutes later]… Look, I hope the answer is yes, but I need an answer. I’m 52 and I could throw out my hip pretty soon.” George Clooney
And, she said yes.
Got to love happy beginnings!
Oh life! You surprising thing, you! *grin*
Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Will Provide
“If you are trusting God for your eternity, you ought to be able to trust Him for time; ’cause eternity is a lot longer than time.” Dr. Tony Evans, Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Will Provide, Part II
Remember the Lord will provide.
This Week’s Theme
By: Gabriela Yareliz
I love that in the face of confusion, uncertainty, disappointment, hopes and desires, God says to us:
“[T]hereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Malachi 3:10
Other versions say He will pour down a blessing until there is no more room to receive it or until it overflows.
He is inviting you to put Him to the test.
Wednesday Badinage: February 3, 2016
[Photo by Tom Williamson; Getty]
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Happy 38th birthday to Amal Clooney! May she continue being a boss for many years to come.
She has proven to the world that there is a unique type of woman who doesn’t settle and isn’t superficial. This woman is successful, feminine, intelligent, caring, assertive, bold, stylish, married, opinionated, and drop-dead gorgeous. #respect
She attempts to change the world with every case she takes. Her job is to fight injustice. Her accomplishments show that she’s had 38 well-lived years, and there are more to come.
Reason
Part of the reason why I am here is the nature of my work.
But the greater part is the work He is doing in me.
#Providence101
Reflections Before Bedtime #68
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Not too long ago, I was looking at photos from a movie premiere Leonardo DiCaprio and Clare Danes had in the 1990s. The fashion was terrible. I think there is a whole BuzzFeed article dedicated to the horrendous fashion. I won’t post a photo from the premiere. You’re welcome, Clare Danes. Google at your own risk.
I mean, we all have things we aren’t proud of from the past, right? Like plastic butterfly clips that snapped when I tried to use them to secure too much hair or that email I had, “NicoleRichieRox”– yes. *Cringe* (Insert your ridiculous email address here. The one you checked after waiting seven years through dial-up. NO ONE TOUCH THE PHONE!)
Anyway… When we look at the past, we often see what didn’t work. I think it is often easier to emphasize our disappointments and everything that deserves the hashtag ‘#FAIL’ next to it. I am talking about way more than fashion choices here. And while reflecting on the bad can help us improve…
This is a call to reflect on the things that did work in the past.
After my good mascara dried out, I bought a random one at the pharmacy in efforts to try something new. The mascara made my eyes swell. Not happening. I looked like a sick Anne Hathaway, basically.
So, in efforts to clothe my eyelashes, I was browsing again for a mascara when I came across one I used and loved in high school. L’Oreal, you are timeless. (Speaking of L’Oreal, I can’t wait to see its ambassadors at the Cannes Film Festival this May).
Back to the mascara, I began asking myself why I ever stopped using it. I suppose it was because I wanted to try new things or I simply forgot. I have been trying new things for years, I suppose. There is nothing wrong with that. However, I realized that sometimes there are things that work, things that fit, and we veer away from them. I am talking about more than makeup here.
There are things we loved, things that worked, things we accomplished, things we enjoyed– let’s remember those before the ‘fails’ and disappointments, for once. Let’s not choose to forget about something that is right for us. Let’s hold on to the good in our lives.
Let’s re-embrace old tricks of the trade, hacks, techniques and attitudes. Let’s be encouraged by the things we did that worked and pursue positive things in our lives. Let’s not give up the best, to explore other things in hopes of finding better, when perhaps there really isn’t anything or anyone better.
I am a grownup, so they say. But maybe, part of growing up is exactly this, not being afraid to go back and re-try the things that worked. I am a grownup, but I am taking my eyelashes back to high school. Maybe more than just my eyelashes will go back to a simpler time.
Disappointment stings. It’s time to remember what worked, what was right and why, and move forward with that. Hold on to the treasures you find in life, because, as L’Oreal says, ‘You’re worth it!’
*Excuse any typos. I hate finding these. What can I say? Writing is flawed just like the person writing it, but it’s also beautiful, just like the person writing it.
[Images from Tumblr]
Like-minded People
By: Gabriela Yareliz
May I just say that this weekend taught me an important lesson on the value and importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people. Thank you, brunch from hell. #lessonlearned
Some people are just there, waiting to hack at you with a machete, or they want to take you with them on a spiral into the mire. Some have a deranged idea of what entertainment and conversation entails. I am so serious.
No matter how friendly and open I want to be sometimes… I am basically learning to say to invitations and certain conversations, “Never, how is never?” and “Not today, Satan, not today.”
Find those who hustle; those who are positive, respectful, perseverant, bright, always learning, courageous, compassionate, leaders, dreamers, and seekers. Find people from which you can learn.
It’s not about finding people who are just like you, it’s about finding people who share core values and a similar vision for life. A desire to learn, succeed, etc.
When you surround yourself with those kinds of people, your life will be a garden. Others will flourish and so will you.
Monday Inspiration: February 1, 2016
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Hello, my friends.
We begin the week and a new month. I am praying that this week, we make our motto: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). And remember, “There is a time and a way for everything…” (Ecclesiastes 8:6).
If you are praying for something special, may your prayer be, “I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.” (Psalm 52:9).
Have an amazing week! I hope you find a quote below that makes you smile or reflect. 💛
XOXO.
“She could afford to wait and be quiet because she knew the power of God and trusted Him to fulfill His plans for her life.” Lies Women Believe: And The Truth That Sets Them Free.
“There will come a moment that will change all of this. Nightmares don’t last.”
C.S. Lewis // Letters to an American Lady
“Job never saw why he suffered, but he saw God, & that was enough.” Timothy Keller
“I love the empty, silent, dewy, cobwebby hours.”
C.S. Lewis // Letters to an American Lady
“But one is safe as long as one keeps on trying.”
C.S. Lewis // Letters to an American Lady
“They all went back by taxi (but)… I walked home.” C.S. Lewis
[Image from Tumblr]
GABRIELA YARELIZ 